Means for sterilizing drinking-cups and the like.



w. L. MANN. MEANS FOR STERILIZING DRINKING CUPS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICAflON FILED NOV. 30' I911.

Patented Jan. 7, 1919.

i STATES PATE OFFICE.

WILLIAM LE AKE MANN, F THE UNITED STATES NAVY.

MEANS on STERILIZING DRINKING-CUPS arm THE LIKE.

Specilication of Letters Patent.

- Application filed November 30, 1917. Serial No. 204,604.

To all whom; it may concern: 3

Be it known that I, WILLIAM LnAxn MANN, a citizen of the United States, 1n

the United States Navy, now stationed at' Quantico, in the county of Prince William and State of Virginia, haveinvented anew and useful Means for-sterilizing Drinking- Cups and the like. Y

My invention relates to a receptacle for the sterilization ofcups,:glasses, and other" articles in which the entrance and exit is at a higher level than the substance produc-.

ing sterilization and .in which the articles to be sterilized are successfully moved through thesterilizing substance.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 1s a plan view of the sterilizer. Fig. 2 isa side elevation, the right half being in section.

Figs. 3 and 4 are detail views respectively of the exit and receiving ends of the sterilizer. Fig. .5 is a view on the section line 55 of Fig. 2, and Fig.6 is a detail of one ofthe receptacles or cups preferred.

The device as shown comprises a casing I of tubular form curved approximately to a half circle, the tubebei-ng asymmetrical in cross section, as shown in Fig. 5, being flattened on one side as shown and having a projecting rib-2 from its opposite side, such rib being cut away for a distance'from each end of the casing, providing an opening or slot 3 for the receptacle handles to project through. The casing is provided with spring closures 4 at its ends, held in closed positions. Locking catches 5 and 6 are also arranged within the ends of the casing to prevent reverse movement of the cups, the

catches 5 at the entrance yielding to permit the insertion of the receptacle, but prevent.- ing its removal, while the catches 6'at the exlt permit the removal of the receptacle but lock to prevent the insertion, the progression of the receptacles throlhgh the casing is thus "bar 7 ordered, insuring the assage of the receptacle through the steri izing or disinfecting; solution after use by one" individual before such receptacle can be used again, thereby preventing any infection. A. reinforcing any suitable support extends between the providing means for attachment to ends of the casing, strengtheningthe same and providing -mea'ps whereby it may be supported.

The receptacles or cups 8 are flattened on one side to fit thecasing and are also curved on the radius of the curve of the casing. .The' receptacles are provided'with handles which project through the slots or openings Patented J'anr7, 1919.

in the casing and provide meanswherebyv r the receptacles may be removed.

The casing is arranged'to be held in a po- "sition with the ends in the same horizontal plane, and when so held is to have its lower .portion filledwith' a disinfectant or steriliz-- 'ing solution through which the receptacles are passed as they proceed from the entrance to'the exit.

Having thus. described my invention, I claim 1. A sterilizing apparatus comprising a tubular casing having entrance and exit ends and a depending medial portion, said casing being asymmetrical in cross section,

and a plurality .of receptacles of substantiallythe same cross section but of a sizeto permit them to be introduced into the casing and to'be passed through a sterilizing substance combined in the medial portion thereof.- i

2. The combination of a sterilizing apparatus comprising a tubular casing of substantially semi-circular shape, and "asymmetrical in cross. section, having entrance.

and exit ends, with a plurality of receptacles of substantially the same cross section but of asize to permit them to be introduced 1nto the casing and tofbe passed'through a sterilizing substance contained in the curve of the casing, and means'for ordering the progression of the receptacles through the casing, providing aslot or opening for the handles of the contained receptacles to project through, and means for ordering the progression of receptacles or cup through the casing.

4. A sterilizing apparatus for drinking -receptacles, comprising a tubular casing curved approximately to a half circle, the tube being flattened on one side and having a pro er-mig I'll) on the opposlte side, said 

